The effect of levamisole on peripheral T-lymphocytes of patients with malignant lymphomas.

The effect of various concentrations (0.015 - 10 micrograms/ml) of Levamisole (LMS) on the peripheral lymphocytes of patients with malignant lymphomas (ML) and normal donors was investigated in vitro. The parameters studied include: E rosettes forming cells (total T lymphocytes), active E rosettes (early T lymphocytes) and DNA synthesis induced by pitogens PHA and Con A. LMS improved significantly lymphocyte response both in patients with ML and normal donors when the cells were stimulated by Con A. In both groups no significant effect was observed on the response to PHA nor on the percentage of E-rosettes, whereas the mean number of active E rosettes was significantly increased on all concentrations of the drug. While in the normal subjects a positive statistical correlation between active E-rosettes and Con A response was observed, in patients with ML an inverse correlation was found. This latter correlation was partially reversed by LMS. These results indicate that LMS, both in normals and in patients with ML, interacts with a specific cell subset (early rosetting lymphocytes), with different functions in normal and pathological situations. The drug shows an effect on the immunological handicap of lymphocytes of patients with ML.